A sign points to Piney Valley Golf Course, which is located on FLW 20 off Water Intake Road. The 18-hole, par 72 course is open to the public and features a driving range, putting green, chipping area, pro shop, snack bar and more.

Story and photos by Matt DeckerAssistant editor
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The signs of the season are unmistakable. The leaves are mostly off the trees. The days are shorter, and the weather is cooler. In short: Winter is coming.

However, there are still plenty of rounds awaiting golfers at Piney Valley Golf Course. The clubhouse will remain open until Dec. 19. After that, golfers can still play on the course.

“We’re going to close the (clubhouse) for (Holiday Block Leave) Dec. 19 through Jan. 3. The clubhouse will be closed, but the course will be open using the honor system,” explained Gary Groff, PVGC manager. “There is a box out in the parking lot near the first tee, and (customers) can put $5 in for nine holes or $10 for 18 holes. So, they can still play, but there won’t be any carts available during that time frame.”

Groff

Starting Jan. 4, PVGC will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, with the honor system in place on Mondays and Tuesdays. The golf course will reopen seven days per week starting March 19.

In the meantime, players can also take part in Piney Valley’s Winter Tour, which held its first round on Nov. 19. Future rounds are scheduled at 10 a.m. Dec. 17, Jan. 14 and Feb. 11. Entry fees are $35 per person.

“This winter we are doing a Winter Tour. It’s just a two-man scramble once per month, weather permitting,” Groff Said.

The tour is open to the public.

Building on success

2016 was a challenging but ultimately successful fiscal year for the golf course.

“Our fiscal year goes through September, and for 2016, we were profitable to the good by about $24,000, which is the first time in a long time. So, that’s a really good thing,” Groff said.

Groff said the course achieved profitability by controlling expenses, including reducing labor costs by relying on volunteers, and generating more money through new programming.

“We did free lessons for active-duty (service members), and we had Wednesday night scrambles all summer long, which brought in more golfers,” Groff said.

Groff said he hopes to build on the course’s success by continuing successful programs and also by promoting new offerings, such as Piney Valley’s foot-golf course, which made its debut earlier this year.

“We tried foot golf. It’s kind of slowed down, and we need to revitalize it,” Groff said. “We are trying to get the units out here to use (the foot-golf course) for PT — that’s our goal. It’s there, and everyone can use it: kids can use it; Families can use it, the units can use it. We just need people to know it’s here and get the word out.”

Piney Valley Golf Course is located at 18694 FLW 26 on Fort Leonard Wood. For more information, call the clubhouse at 573.329.4770 or visit https://leonardwood.armymwr.com.